Blues 2020

[taniwharugby]

@Tim I reckon Matich would thrive as a fulltime super player, probably at 6 though, similarly Matiu, easily our best and most consistent performer this year.

I know he (Matich) was a late signing for Northland this year (possibly only single season) so not sure what his plans are from here.

[Tim]

@taniwharugby Thought he was really good coming off the bench for the Blues this year. Think he played mostly at 7 for them.

[Tim]

Any news on Tony Hanks?

Seems that he's the last of the old guard.

[Duluth]

@Tim said in Blues 2020:

There was from some of our Cantabs, but I haven't heard anything since. He'd need to be released from his Blues contract if that was the case.

I think @Nogusta said it too? He's correct more often than not

[African Monkey]

@Duluth Yeah and @chchfanatic who's fairly accurate as well.

[Steven Harris]

@Tim Hanks was up with the Northland coaching staff last week, I suspect he’s gonna be around a little bit longer..he must the luckiest guy in NZ rugby

[Nogusta]

@African-Monkey he literally had an about turn at the 11th hour and is staying at the Blues now.

[African Monkey]

@Nogusta Well there we have it guys. It would be a bit low of him to leave a team that has invested so much in him to become a glory hunter.

[Nogusta]

@African-Monkey he didn't not want to be a part of the Blues revival 😁

[Chris]

@Nogusta said in Blues 2020:

@African-Monkey he didn't not want to be a part of the Blues revival 😁

So he’s staying at the Blues for a few years then 😎

[Tim]

@Chris most likely!

[Tim]

@Nogusta great news. Is SBW sticking around?

[Tim]

Would also be interesting to know if Renata is returning as a tighthead prop.

[Nogusta]

@Tim I believe so. 1 more year.

[nzzp]

@Tim said in Blues 2020:

@Nogusta great news. Is SBW sticking around?

Interested in peoples perspective of SBW now he's been injury free for a bit. Seems a key cog in the All Black machine, and you can kind of see why the coaches stuck with him for as long as they did.

I'd take a fit SBW at the Blues in a heartbeat. Would be good to see a squad that didn't have five 12s in it though

[Canes]

@nzzp cog shmog

[KiwiMurph]

@Tim said in Blues 2020:

Now that the NPC round robin is over, who should be the hookers?

Parsons has been signed, and there's a good source saying that Niuia has been too, though it's not known if he will be a full squad member.

Unsigned possibles:

Eklund
Abel (Waratahs may be after him)
Apisai
Luteru Tolai
Olsen

Tahs confirmed on Abel.

[Daffy Jaffy]

@KiwiMurph With Abel out of the picture I don't mind if Ray Niuia is signed as was rumoured a while ago. He is experienced and a big unit (listed at 120kgs for Samoa) who carries strongly. My question about him is fitness to last starting games of summer rugby, but they can work on that. Being stuck behind Parsons at Harbour then Makilio at Ta$man he rarely starts games. I do like his impact off the bench though. My choice as 3rd hooker would be Ekland. He brings a different style of impact with his energy, speed and ball skills. However I think they may pick Tolai. He is also a unit at 119kgs who impressed with the dev. team and is playing well for Harbour now that he is getting regular starts. He is only 21 so maybe could be in the wtg and then we could slowly phase Parsons out as the season goes on.

[African Monkey]

@Daffy-Jaffy Haven't seen much of Harbour this year. Has Tolai's throwing improved? He's only played hooker since leaving school and his throwing was dodgy last year.

[Daffy Jaffy]

@African-Monkey I have seen most NH games. Since Parsons was injured he has played good minutes and I have not noticed any obvious problems with his throwing, so I guess its improved with time in the saddle. Much like Kurt Ekland who's throwing was atrocious when he first made the Auckland team, but improved in his second season and seems ok now for BOP.